Fault Tree Analysis of Schoharie Creek Bridge Collapse

The United States has witnessed several bridge collapses that have resulted in human fatalities. One such failure was the Schoharie Creek Bridge (1987), which motivated the improvement of bridge management policies and procedures. This paper offers a detailed review of the events that resulted in this bridge failure through the use of fault tree analysis. A fault tree is a graphical depiction of the various failure paths that lead to an undesirable outcome. The tree presented considers a host of catastrophic events ranging from vessel collision to fire. Fault trees also provide quantitative assessment and comparison of different failure mechanisms. The results of this analysis present scour as the source of the collapse of this bridge, which was in reality the root cause. Knowledge of the vulnerabilities particular to a bridge aids in the management of similar bridge types, allowing focus upon critical aspects. Recognition of historical bridge failures offers awareness to current bridge engineers and managers that aids in the decision making that promotes public safety and structure preservation. Lessons learned will help avoid similar catastrophic failures in the future.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/08873828
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Abstract reprinted with permission from the American Society of Civil Engineers
• Authors:
  • LeBeau, Keary H
  • Wadia-Fascetti, Sara J
• Publication Date: 2007

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Print
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 320-326
• Serial:
  • Journal of Performance of Constructed Facilities
  • Volume: 21
  • Issue Number: 4
  • Publisher: American Society of Civil Engineers
  • ISSN: 0887-3828
  • Serial URL: http://ascelibrary.org/toc/jpcfev/27/1

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bridge engineering; Bridge management systems; Collapse; Failure; Fatalities; Fault tree analysis; Policy; Preservation; Procedures; Quantitative analysis; Safety; Scour
• Identifier Terms: Schoharie Creek Bridge
• Uncontrolled Terms: Bridge failure; Catastrophic events; Graphical displays; Vulnerabilities
• Geographic Terms: United States
• Subject Areas: Administration and Management; Bridges and other structures; Design; Highways; Planning and Forecasting; Policy; Safety and Human Factors; I21: Planning of Transport Infrastructure; I24: Design of Bridges and Retaining Walls;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01054326
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 25 2007 4:59PM